Statement

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA

April 24, 2008
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today to congratulate Canada's Men's under 18 Hockey Team:

"On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to congratulate Canada's young hockey players on winning the gold medal at the 2008 IIHF World U18 Hockey Championship in Kazan, Russia.

All of Canada is proud of the outstanding performance of our 22 players. Once again, our young athletes have proven that they are up to the challenge by facing and beating the best players in the world. These hockey players represent the future of Canadian hockey, and based on today's results, our future looks bright.

Canada defeated Russia, 8-0, to earn its second-ever gold medal at this event. Canada's first gold medal win at the U18s was in 2003. Canada also won the silver in 2005.

Our Government is proud of Canadian athletes in each and every sport in which they compete as they represent this country on the international stage."

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PRIME MINISTER HARPER OUTLINES HOW CANADA'S BALANCED ECONOMIC PLAN WILL DELIVER LONG-TERM PROSPERITY FOR QUEBEC

April 24, 2008
Laval, Quebec

In an economic speech to the Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper outlined how the federal government's balanced approach to fiscal policy will address short-term economic challenges and deliver long-term prosperity for Quebec. The Prime Minister noted that over the course of three budgets and two economic statements introduced by the Government and passed by Parliament, roughly half the fiscal allocations for the five years between 2006 and 2010 have gone to tax reduction, with the remainder evenly split between debt pay down and new spending.

"Our government believes in lower taxes, less debt and carefully targeted assistance that helps workers, families, communities and businesses build a better future. We do not believe in raising the GST, spending recklessly and running deficits. We are responding to short-term economic challenges and we are planning for long-term prosperity. More than anything, these are the things we are focused on. Unlike our opponents, we don't want to rekindle the old battles of separatists and centralists. They are great champions of these positions – but it's not our fight", said Prime Minister Harper.

The Prime Minister also noted that the Government's targeted new spending includes greater support for the Quebec aerospace industry, as part of the federal commitment to rebuild the Canadian Forces and its determination to maintain a Canadian presence in space science. The Montreal region in particular will benefit from increased federal support for expanded public transit through the Public Transit Capital Trust, and the federal Police Officers Recruitment Fund will provide hundreds of new, front-line police officers for the region's municipal police forces. Moreover, Montreal will be the site of one of five national pilot projects undertaken by the new Mental Health Commission of Canada to deal with the problem of homelessness.

"We want a stronger Quebec in a more prosperous Canada," Prime Minister Harper said. "And if we stay the course I laid out to this Chamber four years ago, and the course we have continued to follow since our government took office, that is what Quebecers and all Canadians will achieve."

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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Notice (REVISED)

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Public events for April 24, 2008

April 23, 2008
Ottawa, Ontario

Public events for Prime Minister Stephen Harper for today, Thursday, April 24th are:

Laval, Quebec

12:00 p.m. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper will deliver remarks at the Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He will be joined by Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Lawrence Cannon and Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Michael Fortier.

Paris, Rome and Monaco reception halls
Château Royal
3500, boulevard du Souvenir
Laval, QC
H7V 1X2

*Open to Media*

Montreal, Quebec

5:30 p.m. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper will attend a Conservative Party of Canada member's event and will deliver brief remarks. He will be joined by members of the Conservative caucus.

Salle Outremont
Hilton Bonaventure
900, de la Gauchetiere W.
Montreal, QC
H5A 1E4

*Open to Media*


NOTE: Members of the media will need proper identification to be accredited.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
[Note: You are receiving this e-mail for information only, and because you have subscribed to our distribution list. To modify your subscription or to have your name removed from the list, go to: (http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/subscribe.asp?login)]